Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Hillsborough Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homeowners have a variety of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Heating Oil is the most common choice in Hillsborough, used by 212,831 or 37% of homeowners. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Hillsborough households is Natural Gas, used by 124,974 homes (22%). The remaining homes are heated with Propane (21%), Electricity (12%), Wood (6%), and Other (2%).
Hillsborough County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (No. of Households)
| Year | Natural Gas | Propane | Electricity | Oil | Wood | Solar | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 126,732 | 125,939 | 73,211 | 209,287 | 31,664 | 2,712 | 12,560 |
| 2025 | 124,974 | 121,512 | 70,926 | 212,831 | 32,268 | 2,474 | 11,835 |
| 2024 | 126,691 | 116,162 | 68,090 | 211,416 | 29,746 | 2,147 | 11,751 |
| 2023 | 118,533 | 112,909 | 64,436 | 221,554 | 35,424 | 1,544 | 10,170 |
| 2022 | 121,267 | 103,967 | 61,455 | 223,612 | 30,964 | 909 | 10,992 |
| 2021 | 121,966 | 102,208 | 58,765 | 218,724 | 30,381 | 890 | 10,002 |
| 2020 | 118,607 | 98,116 | 56,313 | 223,224 | 32,446 | 761 | 9,755 |
| 2019 | 115,248 | 94,024 | 53,861 | 227,725 | 34,512 | 632 | 9,508 |
| 2018 | 113,986 | 86,695 | 50,260 | 232,152 | 35,632 | 411 | 8,224 |
| 2017 | 111,070 | 90,341 | 47,927 | 227,681 | 37,912 | 575 | 8,850 |
| 2016 | 110,428 | 81,949 | 48,677 | 229,187 | 35,047 | 666 | 9,880 |
| 2015 | 103,292 | 78,670 | 46,002 | 232,674 | 42,472 | 488 | 10,268 |
| 2014 | 100,601 | 76,212 | 46,268 | 230,361 | 49,555 | 275 | 10,068 |
| 2013 | 101,529 | 76,485 | 42,038 | 239,542 | 44,711 | 334 | 9,251 |
| 2012 | 104,858 | 72,091 | 39,257 | 245,324 | 43,948 | 593 | 7,870 |
| 2011 | 100,958 | 74,416 | 40,613 | 252,159 | 37,084 | 280 | 7,019 |
| 2010 | 100,857 | 70,863 | 41,909 | 253,772 | 40,272 | 85 | 4,752 |
Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Hillsborough
Number two heating oil has become decreasing in demand in Hillsborough. In the 11 years since 2014, the number of residents using fuel oil fell from 230,361 to 212,831, a 8% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Hillsborough
Between 2014 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel grew from 76,212 to 121,512, a 59% change. Comparing 2014 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 100,601 to 124,974, a 24% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Hillsborough
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Hillsborough. Since 2014, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 46,268 to 70,926, a 53% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Hillsborough
The most eco-friendly heating option is solar. With an “active” solar heating system, liquid is circulated between solar panels on a home’s roof and a heat energy storage tank (similar to a hot water heater) in the basement. Now, 2,474 homes in Hillsborough are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 800% gain from 2014, when 275 homes utilized active solar heating.
Hillsborough County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Hillsborough County homeowners purchased a total of 43 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Hillsborough’s overall number two heating oil consumption changes yearly depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ heating systems need to burn additional heating oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Hillsborough was 24.1°F, which was 5.3°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Hillsborough County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 24.1° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 29.4° F |
Hillsborough County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Hillsborough residences heating with fuel oil, picking which of the 0 heating oil companies that serve Hillsborough makes a big difference.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who prefer a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system pick one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Hillsborough. Full service companies such as or offer customers annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and heating system repair. With an automatic oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The customer does not need to monitor the level of the oil tank or place individual orders.
Discount Oil Companies: Also known by the names “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for families who are budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Some of the 0 Hillsborough cash heating oil companies serving Hillsborough include Inc and .
Hillsborough Oil Company Fast Facts: Heating oil Companies Serving Hillsborough: 0 companies .
Average Number of Hillsborough Households Served per Fuel Oil company : 212831
Hillsborough Heating Oil Delivery Overview
212,831 families in Hillsborough heat their homes with oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Hillsborough temperatures drop as low as 16.9° F each winter. 36.9% of Hillsborough residences depend on oil delivery each winter.
18.4% of Hillsborough County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Hillsborough County Households | Hillsborough County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 1.1M | 212,831 |
0 Hillsborough Number Two Heating Oil Companies You Can Trust
With 199,461,865 gallons of oil delivered to Hillsborough residences the last heating season, the Hillsborough community relies on its 0 oil companies to keep warm throughout the winter. Oil delivery can be summed up in two steps: First, an oil truck picks up oil at the nearest bulk fuel terminal (also known as a “rack”). In the case of Hillsborough, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Newington, NH and Gulf in Chelsea, MA. Then, the truck delivers the fuel oil to residences and companies throughout Hillsborough and the surrounding region.